About Grand Rapids' Alger Heights

STOP! WAIT and READ!

Garfield Development Corp may have a better solution for you!

Garfield development Corp has a purchase and rehab program that will let you have your cake and eat it too!

I was searching for homes for a client the other day, and did not realize how many homes were available in their target area. Some of their target area includes a portion of Alger Heights!

Here are the boundaries............South of Cottage Grove, West of 131, North of 28^th and West of Eastern, (including the west side of the street of eastern) BIG area!

So how does this all work? The home must be in the target area, you must qualify financially, and your loan has to fit the guide lines of the program, you must buy the home as an owner occupied home and LIVE in the home. The good news is a FHA will work for this program. FHA does not look at credit score and will allow a co-signer.

some of my picks from the target area are below. Now Garfield will have to approve the home as a qualifying home as well, but I think these homes are worth investigating. The homes below are not my listings, just homes I found when running a search. If you could buy a home at the listed price you see below, and get up to $30,000.00 worth of renovations, and feel like you are living in a home worth much more, because it has been completely rehabbed, but only pay a mortgage amount on the purchase price on the home. Would you?

The renovation loan is a silent 2^nd, which is interest free, and only payable if you sell the home or after 50 years.

How to get started: Fill out the applicationto see if you qualify. Get pre-approved for a loan. The best resource I know for pre-approval on this program is Hillary Kooy at Treadstone Mortgage, she can pre-approve you. Shop for a home, after you find your home you or your buyer's agent needs to contact Garfield to see if the home qualifies. Put an offer on the home. This is the program in brief, to get a full explanation please read the guide lines.

2164 Francis Ave SE

1834 Martin Ave SE

2251 Madison Ave SE

2005 Union Ave SE

These are just a few of what is available.................to find more listings go to MLSfor Grand Rapids and look for more homes in the qualifying area!

630 Kenmoor SE, Grand Rapids Michigan 49546 each office independently owned and operated

"You can find it in Garfield Park and Alger Heights. Guaranteed.

"It" is anything you're looking for in a hometown neighborhood: unique restaurants, outstanding public and private schools, convenient daycare and preschools, peaceful green spaces, a new library, a variety of spiritual and worship centers, grocery stores, and financial institutions-the list goes on..."

Excerpt from Garfield Park-Alger Heights Moving Guide, December 21, 2006, Rapid Growth, http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/

Please join Keller Williams Realty in this open house tour of homes in Alger Hiehgts. We will be handing out maps of the tour and giving out coupons towards home buying and home sevices.

Coupons total up to more then $400.00.

This Alger classic has all the charm one would expect from a home in this vintage but also offers recent updates and a few extras that make this one a must see. Hardwood floors up and down, fireplace on main floor and lower level, impressive stairway and entryway give it charm. Newer windows and roof, along with a home warranty give it piece of mind and efficiency. An extra deep two stall garage with workshop that is wired for 220 and an outbuilding designed to be a sauna makes this home unique. Other features include; main floor den area that is currently used as a laundry but could also be a nice office and walkout access on the second floor. This home was pampered and loved by the same owner for over 40 years.

Charming 2 story in popular Alger Heights. Owner has updated floor on much of main floor and it looks great. 2 full baths, screened porch and all the appliances are a bonus to this home. Mechanicals are newer and include central air. The bay window really adds to the living room with the fireplace. Space abounds throughout so add this one to your must see list in Alger Heights.

This Alger Heights, brick and stucco English Tudor style home shows pride of ownership. A great home for a growing family! So much charm and nostalgia! You will enjoy the hardwood floors, large windows, and the eat-in kitchen for those hurried mornings. However, enough room to entertain in the formal dining room for those large family gatherings. The Kitchen has been updated with new floors, counter tops, back splash and breakfast nook! This home is located in an area where there is a sense of community and much pride of ownership by the residents. It is also near the new 30 million dollar Kroc - Salvation Army Community Center which is planned for completion in the spring of 2009. Put this home on your must see list, as you will be glad you did!

1.5 story all brick home. Sits on 3 lots with natural spring creek running through the front yard! Home has 3 bedrooms, one bath, formal dining room, family room with fireplace, new kitchen. Many original features such as crown molding and hardwood floors. Contemporary decor.

This well maintained and updated home is nestled on a quiet street n Alger Heights. The backyard opens into a wooded lot with trails leading into McKay Park. The first floor has 2 bedrooms, a living room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen and bath. The entire second floor has been remodeled and can be used for anything from the master bedroom to family room. Hardwood floors and central air make this a very attractive package. All appliances included (stove, refrigerator, washer/dryer).

Absolutely gorgeous, desirable Alger Heights Home. Located on a quiet street with walking distance to Real Food Cafe. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, updated kitchen and both baths. Central air and 4 bedrooms, finished basement with family room, 3 season porch and fenced backyard. All appliances included.

Classic 2-story home in prime Alger Heights location. This wonderful character-filled home features 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, formal dining room, gleaming hardwoods, coved ceilings, natural woodwork throughout, cozy fireplace, main floor office with French doors, 2-stall garage, and deck off back. A notable highlight is the surprising loft in the master bedroom- perfect for office or sitting area. This one-of-a-kind space is illuminated with ceiling sun lights and overlooks the cozy bedroom below. Just a quick stroll away from Alger Heights shops and restaurants. All appliances & home warranty included.

Completely renovated 3 bedroom in Alger Heights. Hardwood floors, new kitchen cabinets and countertop, new ceramic tile. Fireplace in the very spacious living room with a formal dining room off the living room. Freshly landscaped. Large two stall garage. Great neighborhood. Freshly painted and ready to move in.

Superb 3 bedroom home in prime Alger Heights location- Walking distance to popular local shops and restaurants. This stunning 2000 + square foot home sits on a tree shaded lot and features 1.5 baths, French doors to heated 4 season room off back, upper level den or 4th bedroom, gleaming hardwoods, coved ceilings, 2 cozy fireplaces, and deck. Other notable highlights include a surprising master suite in upper dormer with private 1/2 bath, large kitchen with tile floor and eating area, 2-stall garage, central air, newer windows, newer roof, new carpet, great warm colors throughout and an all brick exterior. Completing this perfect package is a finished lower level complete with knotty pine recreation room with fireplace, wet bar for entertaining and small work out area. One year Home Warranty included.

Looking for a Home in Alger Heights (SE Grand Rapids)- I'd love to help you decide what style is best for you. Most Alger Heights Homes were built in the 1940's. Filled with lots of charm, there are many to choose from in today's market. Often these homes are equipped with beautiful wood floors, charming fireplaces, curved architecture, laundry shoots, and unique nooks & crannies. Asking prices range from $109,000 - $139,000. An average sale price of $115,000 - you can't go wrong

But, as you're house hunting - You're wondering, "What style is best for you and your family?" I'll break down the five most common Alger Heights Home. Contact me for a list of currently listed properties in your favorite style!

Bungalow: This 1.5 story home, most often is 2 bedrooms with only one bath. The upstairs dormers are usually finished into large Master-Bedrooms. Average square footage is 1,000 - 1,300 square feet.

Cape Cod: The cape cod has two charming dormers upstairs, usually signifying the bedrooms. It isn't uncommon for the cape cod to have 1.5 bathrooms. Staircases often are in the middle of the home. Average Square footage 1,200 - 1,500 square feet.

Salt Box: The salt box, or Alger Heights 2 story is sometimes considered to have the least curb appeal. However, these larger homes generally have very open floor plans and condusive to roomates or a growing family. 3 nice sized bedrooms, and 1.5-2 baths are not uncommon. These usually have a large formal dining room, which adds a nice home feature. Square footage could range from 1,300 - 1,800.

Ranch: The Alger Heights Ranch often is Brick and resides near Mulford on the West side of Eastern but also exist randomly on other streets. Maintenance free exteriors make these very desirable properties. Usually the Alger Heights ranch was built in the late 1950's - early 1960's. Square footage is usually between 1,000-1,300.

Looking forward to helping you find your perfect Alger Heights Home!

-Dana Iler

616.745.4233

Keller Williams Realty

Where Something Good is Always Cooking Breakfast ~ Lunch~ Take-Out ~ Bakery

The Real Food Cafe is THE REAL DEAL! We probably go there for lunch at least once a week. They only serve

breakfast and lunch but it is better than my Mom made. Their breakfasts are almost legendary. They serve

breakfast anytime and what a breakfast.....the home fries are just too delicious to describe.

The pancakes are made with real buttermilk, fresh eggs and

served with real butter. Below is the picture of my two eggs

scrambled and home fries.

The home made soups are

always delicious.

The burgers are 1/3 lb. of

Angus beef.

The sandwiches are huge and definitely satisfying.

The omelets are mouth-watering.

The baked goods such as cookies, cakes and pies are all

home made on site and worth sacrificing the diet for.

The crew and wait staff are all friendly and genuinely happy

at work. It just makes you feel good to be there. It is

always full of people eating "real food" and enjoying themselves.

One of our favorite people at Real Food is "Rosie." She has known

the chef, Frank, since he was a little boy and is always busy seating

people, getting drinks,and generally bustling around with a friendly

word and smile to all.

Our gastronomic friend, Eric Webster, has a post on Real Food Cafe

also, if you would like to read more about it. They have recently

expanded and have an additional Cafe at 5430 Northland Dr. NE Grand

Rapids, MI 49525 (616)361-1808

If you would like to taste "real food made with real ingredients

by real people," this is the place to go.

We are there often, so we hope to see you , too.

The Real Food Cafe 2419 Eastern Ave. Grand Rapids MI 49507 (616)241-4080

photos by Bonnie Westbrook

No consideration or value has been exchanged for the advertising of Real Food on my blog or stating of my testimonial.